Programs: Minor Home Repair, Land Maintenance Program, Grown In Ivanhoe, Positive Alternatives for Youth, Community Mobilization (beautification, crime and safety Programs and block contacts). Under Community Mobilization these three committees strategically address methods and plans for improving and maintaining safety within the neighborhood. The Block Contact program is responsible for identifying residents in the neighborhoods who voluntarily serve as block contacts for their particular street/block. Training is provided and on-going communications in order to support their efforts to share information with neighbors, organize clean ups, and identify isolated seniors and single parents. Through the Beautification program both resident and non-resident volunteers conduct seasonal clean-up days, identify areas in which trash is building up and develop opportunities for improving the overall beauty of the neighborhood. They are on the alert for criminal activities and codes violations and report these to the police and codes enforcement officers. The Crime and Safety program is specifically tasked with collaborating with the police department in developing and implementing strategies to decrease neighborhood crime.
For more details please visit: http//www.incthrives.org

Community Stories

33 Stories from Volunteers, Donors & Supporters

Share experience with this nonprofit today

ALKC is the best agency in north town in meeting various community needs. Especially, Operation School Bell, one of their main programs serves thousands of children every year. This year, I've had 5 trips taking 107 elementary students down there. It was great seeing their smiling faces with excitement. All volunteers acted like their grandmas. They truly care for children and families in this community!

Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council is a great organization to be a part of. With volunteering here for the past 2 months, I have always seen each employee preparing and/or working on an upcoming event to better the community. Learning about the history of Ivanhoe and hearing how much the community has improved over the years, Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council is making a positive difference. I look forward in seeing the changes that will be taken place here in the future.

The organization is aggressive in addressing problems such as crime, drug houses, frequent vacancy and trash buildup which plagued the area for decades. The Council empowers residents and gives a foundation for working together to rebuild this community

My experience working with Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council has been a true pleasure. All members have a positive attitude and a great outlook for their community. Ivanhoe is a great role model for the entire city. I am so proud to have played a small role in the success of the Gateway at 39th Street.

First of all, I have enjoyed being an ordained clergy serving at Gregg Tabernacle African Methodist Episcopal Church in the Ivanhoe community since September 15, 2013. My relationship goes back in the 90s when I was an associate pastor serving at Gregg Tabernacle while pastoring in rural Missouri on alternate Sundays, and the Alan and Yolanda Young and others were starting INC backup again. Nevertheless, there are so many things I could capture as a benefactor of this dynamic neighborhood group. I know space is limited so I will be brief. Our church's educational building third floor windows had been boarded up for nearly 40 years. The thirty-six windows' condition gave no life to the area, it looked like blighted property. I was invited to a Faith Leadership Breakfast May 2014 by Margaret May; several clergy persons from different faith groups and business leaders were in attendance. I met a contractor who rehab houses, and I shared my situation. He became compassion about the vision, and was sold on the ideal. Our congregation raised money for each side of the building, our new partner donated the labor for the installation of all 36 windows. The project took seven months to complete, and just in time for regional Conference; we were called upon to host of 54 sister churches. Another project that will have a major impact on the community is the installation of the internet system. Our church was selected to help train young men and women on installing a WIFI network that the community will be able to gain access to the internet. These individuals installed the wiring under the leadership of Harrison May of W.E.B. Dubois Learning Center, and they also donated three computers with more on the way. These computers will help give the residents and church members access to the internet:check emails, job search, electronic business activity, the list goes on and on! Also, our site will be the hub for others with 3 to 5 block radius for the residents in the community to gain access to the internet once the satelitte is affixed on top the building. There are so many things we can say about our partnership with INC. The bottom-line is the faith community must invest in the neighborhood to make it a better place to live! --Dr. Eraina M. Ross-Aseme

Ivanhoe Neighborhood Association has been involved in a range of efforts to achieve sustainability in this specific neighborhood and in the city as a whole. Their emphasis on the social equity leg of the sustainability stool is quite obvious and of critical importance in the work of the neighborhood while clearly being active in addressing both economic and environmental goals.

My experience with the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council has been to participate in activities they publicize from time to time because I believe in their quest to involve the people of Ivanhoe in making their neighborhoods viable and thriving. The Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council sets the example for other such organizations to follow. Ivanhoe identifies the needs of the community and finds innovative and productive ways to improve the way of life for the people involved. They take their role seriously, and the community benefits from their commitment.

The Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council hosted a workshop on the history of dance in Kansas City, Missouri. It was very informative and also a lot of fun. After the first part of the presentation, we were given the opportunity to learn or "revisit" some dances from "back in the day" like the Kansas City 2-step! It was great exercise and a lot of fun!! The atmosphere is beautiful. They have done a beautiful job on the building to make a warm and inviting place to be.

Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council is a catalyst for the community by staying engaged and understanding the needs of the community which adds value. I’ve had the opportunity to partnership with INC through connections with Yolanda Young, and it’s a blessing to see their hardworking efforts continuously have a positive impact in the community.

INC has played a very important part in exposing the CLEATS organization, we've gotten 100% support to promote our soccer program in the community and it hasn't stop. We are truly grateful to partner with INC. Great members and a great leader, Mrs. May.

I was asked to assist the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council with a gardening project. Through my involvement I have found the INC to be staffed by dedicated, compassionate, and creative individuals who work hard to serve the community. Ivanhoe faces challenges like many older, urban core neighborhoods, ranging from food access to vacant lots, yet the INC staff approach these challenges as opportunities to start new initiatives that make a difference in people's lives. A vacant lot becomes a community garden; edible landscaping on the property contributes healthy produce to their farmer's market; a weed infested garden becomes an opportunity to hire a resident and turn an eyesore into beauty. Their creativity and dedication is amazing. A great organization with wonderful people.

Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council is the consummate comprehensive community development non-profit. The organization's commitment to serve and empower its constituents in the areas of housing, health, youth development, environmental restoration, urban agriculture, financial literacy are well thought out and executed. Furthermore Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council employs staff that are both empathetic to the community needs and savvy in its partnerships with local and regional agencies to build capacity to implement the work. The Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council staff and volunteers are a pleasure to work with and are an asset to the entire Kansas City Urban Core!

I have participated in several activities and programs presented by the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council and continue to be impressed by the commitment of the organization and staff to make a positive difference in the community it serves, as well as in the surrounding areas. Their programming is fun, educational and informative. Every age group, from the young to the old has benefited from the services this organization offers.